“Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has poured out into our hearts.” (Rom 5:5)
You may recall that the late Pope Francis introduced a Jubilee Year that began last Christmas Eve. It will come to a close on 6 January 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. During this Jubilee Year, Pope Francis called us all to be “pilgrims of hope.” This hope is not just an idle wish but, as one of the theological virtues, it is the confident assurance that God’s love will prevail and his plan of salvation will reach its fulfillment for those who serve God. As pilgrims, we are called to engage in a “journey of hope and learning.” In fact, this is the theme for our school this year and is a good theme for all of us to keep in mind as we continue this Jubilee Year.
This weekend, we join with the Church throughout our nation and around the world in celebrating Catechetical Sunday. Those whom the community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth at the 9:30am Mass to be commissioned for their ministry. And, I will ask God’s blessing on all parents who are present as well, praying that God may strengthen them in their resolve to share the precious gift of their faith with their children, teaching them to embrace this journey of hope and learning.
Catechetical Sunday is an important opportunity to reflect on the essential difference our faith makes in our lives and in the lives of our children. As Pope Francis wrote when he introduced the Jubilee Year, “life has its joys and sorrows” and “love is tested amid trials.” But, quoting St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, our late Holy Father reminded us that “we boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Rom 35:3-4). So, as we join with all Catholics around the world during this Jubilee Year to be pilgrims of hope, we are all called to strive to grow in our faith. One of the ways that we do that is through catechesis which the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines in this way.
An education of children, young people and adults in the faith of the Church through the teaching of Christian doctrine in an organic and systematic way to make them disciples of Jesus Christ.
At the beginning of every school year, we are called to refocus our attention on the important work of educating and forming our children. Parents, teachers and catechists strive for excellence, teaching our children well in all of the subjects presented to them. And, we want to help them grow in their social skills and develop their many talents. We work hard to ensure that our children will succeed in their lives and contribute to society. That’s what every good parent and teacher strives to do.
But, our school and Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) must also be focused on the pilgrimage we are all making through this life to our final goal: eternal life with God in heaven where our hope for salvation will be fulfilled as we join with all of the saints and angels in worshiping God. As we begin another school year, let’s do so with thanksgiving to God for this sacred calling and take up the theme of being pilgrims of hope, journeying in hope and learning – and teaching our children – the great truths of our faith that lead all ever closer to our God.